Report: Suns interested in Villanova head coach Jay Wright

By Arizona Sports | April 7, 2016 at 10:10 amUPDATED: April 7, 2016 at 12:51 pm

Villanova head coach Jay Wright celebrates as he cuts down the net after the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game against North Carolina, Monday, April 4, 2016, in Houston. Villanova won 77-74. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Earlier this week, Earl Watson said there “have been minimal” conversations with the Phoenix Suns about staying on as the team’s head coach following this season.

Hired as the interim boss on Feb. 1, he has led the Suns to a 6-22 record but has earned respect for the job he’s done since taking over for Jeff Hornacek.

However, while Watson may be doing an admirable job with a roster that has been ravaged by injuries, no one would be surprised if the Suns looked outside the organization for a full time coach.

What may be surprising is who they are apparently targeting.

Fresh off NCAA title, Villanova’s Jay Wright has emerged as the top choice of the Phoenix Suns to become their head coach, per NBA sources.

Indeed, Wright just guided Villanova to an NCAA Tournament championship, the school’s first since 1985. In 15 seasons coaching the Wildcats, he has guided them to a 354-157 record along with 11 NCAA Tournament berths. Long regarded as one of the country’s better coaches, the 54-year-old has no experience coaching at the NBA level.

Wright has coached or been an assistant coach for multiple USA basketball teams, even earning a gold medal at the 2005 University Games as head coach.